Page 110 of Emergency Exit
“Ash?”
He was almost to the door, but he turned back to her.
“I love you too.”
He blinked.
“You said you loved me.”
“I do,” he said, stammering slightly.
“And I love you too. I don’t think you meant to say it because you have this weird thing about moving too fast, but sometimes your neurodivergent brain says what it’s feeling before you know what words are coming out of your mouth.”
Ash gave an embarrassed laugh. “Yeah, it really does.”
“But I thought you should know that I love you too so that later, when you proofread what came out of your mouth just now, you won’t panic.”
Ash let out a gusty sigh that ended in a laugh. Then he came back to the tub and leaned down.
“I love you,” he said, staring directly into her eyes. “No, I didn’t mean to say it like that the first time, but I mean it this time.”
Ash kissed her, and Harper nearly pulled him into the tub, kissing him back. He left damp and laughing.
35
Harper
The Party
“OK,” said Mel, as Harper stuffed another waffle bite in her mouth, “the pictures everyone sent in are now on a loop, and the music’s on Ash’s special playlist. Harper…” Mel scrutinized Harper. “Are you OK?”
“I’m nervous,” muttered Harper around the waffle.
Ash had refused to let her go back to her apartment after the police had left. He’d called Rowan, and the next thing she knew, all her belongings were in his condo. So far, living with Ash was better than anywhere else she’d ever been, but she was now faced with the prospect of being a hostess, and she was terrified.
Romeo entered the room and viciously Febreze’d a throw pillow.
“The pillows smell fine, Romeo,” said Mel.
“Febreze makes me feel in control,” he gasped as if he’d been holding his breath. “Everyone is coming. Like all the RSVP’s came backyes,and now if the party isn’t cool, they will all be looking at me!”
Harper swallowed her waffle. “Are we all having social anxiety about all the Valkyries coming?” she asked.
“Oh,” said Mel, “it’s not just me. I really like Teddy and some of the guys from Valkyrie Security, but I’ve never met anyone from Valkyrie Development. What if they’re really… you know… construction-y.”
“You mean, what if they’re full MAGA?” supplied Romeo.
“Yeah,” said Mel. “That is what I mean.”
“I met Forest’s girlfriend,” said Harper. “She was nice. Shehad blue hair.”
“Oh,” said Romeo, heaving a deep breath. “That’s a good sign.”
“And Ash’s mom is lovely. And Piper said she’d be here soon. So we’ll have people, you know, like us.”
Romeo and Mel exchanged looks.
“Harper, honey, I love you, but you’re wearing Chanel,” said Romeo. “And I’m wearing Target. We are not the same.”
